L.A. PARKER: Tired of all the negativity for one year

With those words, Forrest Gump ended his cross-country running agenda.

Me, too. I’m headed home and eventually to a sunny climate for rest and relaxation following an incredible news year.

“Use ‘em or lose ‘em.”

I have to squeeze valuable vacation time into 19 days that include weekends and Christmas Day. It’s a great time to walk away with a federal trial wrapped up against Hamilton Township Mayor John Bencivengo.

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The government’s case against Trenton Mayor Tony Mack includes an arraignment on Dec. 19 before we wait until early spring for a trial of the century that includes defendants Joseph “JoJo” Giorgianni and the mayor’s brother, Ralphiel Mack.

It’s a good time for a break away from a city plagued by negativity, violence, gangs, murder, prostitutes, drug trafficking, etc. This pig of a city would struggle for any semblance of decency even with lipstick and a Coach bag.

I have grown tired of the marches, weary of rallies, sick of the corruption and despondent toward people who give energy toward ideas that rarely cultivate or generate any significant success.

This city needs action, not people who stand around with fingers pointed at political leaders who ignore a city under siege by gun toters. But as our murder odometer revs toward 30, we beg for intervention from the National Guard.

Listen, I agree. Enlist our National Guard for distribution of information regarding birth control, STDs, especially AIDS, education, etc. Using National Guard members as peacemakers could spell trouble, especially if a U.S. defender kills a gang member or innocent child. No thanks. Keep military units prepared for foreign wars.

Note to parents whose children are engaged in criminal activity: If your son or daughter lurks on a city corner then you need to go down to that intersection. Bring your children home before you have to identify them in the morgue.

By the way, when drug dealers or gang members kill, shoot or disable other members of that killing klatch, most people do not blink an eye. They may verbalize concern but their under breath speaks these words. “As long as they’re killing each other, we’re fine with that.”

Many Trentonians would support a city initiative that allows these gangsters a parcel of city land where they can test Darwin’s theory.

Empty the last homes on Monmouth St. or Walnut Ave. then allow our civilian militant military a shootout of monumental proportions.

We better do something drastic before some innocent student takes a bullet while jumping rope on the Monument School playground.

“We’re dodging bullets here,” a concerned teacher said. “We’re trying to teach. Trying to take care of our kids. We’re worried about their safety. We don’t know what to do. But the children can’t learn if they’re living in fear.”

Now we’re talking. Just when I think this Trenton bus is going to crash into a ditch, someone blurts out an idea that wins. Life is about perception and fear. If you are afraid then cerebral thinking about math or social studies rests by the wayside.

Fear puts more people in their own personal prison than any state’s department of corrections.

A trip onto Walnut Ave. on Monday provided a remarkable discovery.

In one of the city’s toughest neighborhoods, a place almost completely forgotten by those who distribute social support, stands a home drenched in Christmas lights and decorations.

Beacons of hope still shine in some of Trenton’s darkest neighborhoods.

No doubt fatigue sets in following such an invasion of corruption, investigations and allegations. In Trenton, burns a hope that life will get better in spite of a lack of leadership.

In spite of all that has occurred, a belief here is that this capital city still has a chance for recovery.

Maybe exhaustion breeds delusion but a good rest may offer rejuventation of peace, hope and positive change.

— L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@Trentonian.com.